Skip to main content

What is the spectrum of light?

The light spectrum refers to the quantitative differences in light - for example, what is the actual difference between red light and blue light, and what causes them to have those colors? While the term "light" is commonly used to refer to visible light only, the light spectrum can extend to include all types of electromagnetic radiation, and so it is a way of talking about the different properties of photons themselves.


Photons are massless...

The light spectrum refers to the quantitative differences in light - for example, what is the actual difference between red light and blue light, and what causes them to have those colors? While the term "light" is commonly used to refer to visible light only, the light spectrum can extend to include all types of electromagnetic radiation, and so it is a way of talking about the different properties of photons themselves.


Photons are massless particles that carry electromagnetic energy in a manner similar to both particles and waves. Photons can represent a broad range of energies; low-energy ones are found in sources such as radio, and high-energy ones are found in sources like X-rays, with a variety of different "states" in between, including visible light. The fact that different energies and properties of photons will change their appearance and interactions is the source of their identity along a spectrum. Technically, a spectrum refers to a range of continuous values, any of which might be assumed by a member of that spectrum. For light, any energetic value of the light spectrum may be assumed by a photon, but its location on the spectrum will determine its properties, and the photon will retain that identity for its lifetime.  


To refer specifically to the visible light portion of the spectrum, conversationally this refers to the colors and associated photon energies ranging from red to blue that humans can normally see. In terms of wavelengths and energies, this is about 400 to 700 nanometers, or about the range of one to two electrons worth of charge.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more